Gerald F Hawkins

April 3, 1933 – November 28, 2021

Gerald F. (Jerry) Hawkins, 88, of Cuyahoga Falls, died Sunday, November 28, 2021 after a brief illness.

Born in Akron, Ohio to Fred E. and Mary Margaret (Marge) Hawkins, Jerry grew up on North Hill and graduated from Hower Vocational High School in 1951. Following graduation, Jerry proudly served his country stateside from 1954 to 1956 in the U.S. Army, where he was a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and also served in the 101st Airborne Division, MP Company, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Jerry married the love of his life, Shirley L. (nee Cunningham), originally from Gassaway, West Virginia, in May of 1956.

Following his discharge from the Army, Jerry worked in the Savings and Loan industry, where his genuine interest in people and gift for building lasting relationships led to a long and successful career. He retired as a Senior Vice-President of Great Northern Savings Company, in Barberton, Ohio in 1994.

Jerry was an avid woodcarver for many years and made beautiful carvings of birds and other wildlife, humorous caricature carvings, and Santa Claus figurines and Christmas tree ornaments, which he regularly gave to family and friends, old and new. He was a member of several woodcarving clubs, most recently the “Wood-be Carvers” of Norton, Ohio. He was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cuyahoga Falls.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Mary Hawkins, and his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Richard Barnhart, Jerry is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Tom Michalec, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, friends, and “The Best Little Kitten in the World,” Elizabeth. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him for his generosity and humor.

Private Memorial Service will take place at a later date with interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of 3 West at Western Reserve Hospital, the staff of Western Reserve Hospice, and the staff at Pebble Creek Healthcare Center for the excellent care and comfort they provided Jerry in his final weeks.